Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2009....I was thinking about some of the trials and difficult times this past year, and in my mind, I was kind of glad to see it go, but then I looked through my blog posts from last year, and realized that it really was a great year. Do you ever do that? Just change the focus. Here are some of the nice things that 2009 brought to me......

The dedication of two beautiful temples in the valley, plus the opportunity to serve at the Draper Temple Open House. Two of my grandchildren, Danielle and Braden, danced in the Temple Celebration in the Conference Center. Watching them perform, was such a special experience for me.

I redecorated my bedroom, and still love it! Family members helped me...especially my granddaughter Danielle, who did the hard manual labor like ripping out the old carpet and pad, nails etc. I also LOVE my kitchen with the new paint, new stove, a little wall paper border, new curtains, and the beautiful new floor. Thanks to our children who labored so hard making it possible.

I had a few little trips that were all wonderful! (Thanks Brian).

There were good times with my family and especially my grandchildren.

We were blessed with a precious new grandson, on Oct 29th, son of Dan and Becca.

Ryan and Becky announced another pregnancy, and will welcome a new baby girl in the Spring.

I got a professional camera, and have greatly improved my skills this year. It is a source of tremendous enjoyment for me, and will continue as long as I have strength to hold it. I look forward to all that I will learn about photography and editing this year.

I enjoy my church calling in the Relief Society. I LOVE the sisters in my ward, and am grateful for old, and new friendships.

I've finally made a start with Family History.

I know this will be a great year. When I was a little child, I thought that all of the uneven years were bad, and the even numbered years were good. From that point of view, this one has to be good, right? I hope everyone will have a great 2010. Where will it take us? What will we learn? What will each of us do to see progression in our lives, and draw closer to the Savior? I can hardly wait for New Year's Day 2011 when I will come here, and re-read my own blog posts, and see my own growth.

Now, I have to get to work writing my list of stuff that I need to work on this year. Will be posting soon.

Merry Christmas

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Luke 2:11,12

The Ornament

Every Christmas, I make a little ornament for each grandchild. I started this tradition when Danielle was born 17 years ago. This year I made eleven, next year it will be twelve. Some are elaborate...this year it is a simple one, but one thing they all have in common...they all hold a photograph of the child, taken during that year. The kids like to watch themselves growing up through the pictures and ornaments. While I work on them, I think of how much I love each child and how important they are to me. Every year, I promise myself to start on them earlier in the year. But.... I never have. I used to sit in mom's room and watch Christmas programs in the evenings while I painted on the ornaments. She took such delight in watching them progress, and turn into something special. It is her birthday today, and I miss her Soooo Much! I have thought about her a lot this month. I have carried on HER tradition of the Christmas sled. If you are new to this blog, you can go back to my post from last year about the sled. Back to my ornaments...Sometimes, I feel bad that I didn't make it out to the concerts, or to look at the lights, or that I didn't watch more Christmas movies. But I need to change my perspective. I DID DO THIS......... This is me, and my tradition. One good thing about it, and that is the fact that it will outlive me. These little ornaments will still be around when I am back home with my maker. I hope that my grandchilden will always remember how much I loved them. Every one of them are precious to me.

Merry Christmas Danielle, Braden, Kylie, Ashley, Lizzie, Livvy, Cameron, Zachary, Cessna, Lance, and Rory. XOXOXO

Welcome to the world, little Zachary

Putting the frivolous aside for this moment, I am filled with wonder at a new little life, who has not only come to earth, but into our family. Dan and Becca’s precious little son, Zachary Daniel Hubrich, made his debut Thursday morning, October 29, on his daddy’s birthday! He is beautiful and wonderful in every way. He is welcomed, and loved by his parents and siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, on both sides of his family. What a blessing he is...and how blessed HE is, to have come here and now, to a family who will love him and teach him all that he needs, to be happy and successful in his life.I am so grateful for my eleven grandchildren, and the joy that every one of them bring to me. Each one of them is so precious to me. Nothing else is as good, as being a grandparent.

Latest photos

Some time ago, Livvy asked me if I would take her photo in a Petti shirt in

my friends back yard. We finally got it done Monday
I think they turned out pretty sweet. Left click on them for a better view.

Feeling pretty and looking kind of Urban...

WHEE !!

Gotta love this little brother


Love you too, Sis

Such cute siblings

Last Tuesday, I was able to take another little trip with my son, Brian. He had an overnight in San Diego, and there were open seats on the flight right after the one he was working, so I got on, and met him there and we headed off to the San Diego Zoo. I enjoyed the photographic opportunities there, and we laughed so much, and just had a wonderful day.

Leaving to CA, I had a 45 minute wait at the gate, and seated right across from me were about a dozen Marines right out of basic training. They looked so sharp in their crisp new uniforms. They were checking one another for anything amiss in their dress etc. I got all teared up thinking about their mothers, sending sons off to the unknown. When it was time to board, I was standing right next to them, and I took the opportunity to thank them, and noticed that many others did as well. Across the terminal from the Marines, were a row of pay phones and there were 7 Elders, and one sister missionary all saying goodbye to their families. I am so grateful for all of these incredible young people....protecting our country and keeping us safe, and the others for giving of their time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.

Here are a few pictures from the zoo. These may look like ordinary snapshots, but they were an acomplishment for me, because I took all of them with manual settings. I learned a lot. At one point,we took a break for lunch at a little sandwich place in the Zoo. It was really good.

The Flamingos were the first exhibit right inside the gate. They are so pretty. Later in the day when we came back, they were being fed by hand, because, right along side of them were probaby over a hundred wild Mallard Ducks

One of several zebras in a herd.

The Elephants were eating and so they were not real close to us. Icaught this through the bars with a zoom lens.


This inquisitive bird stood over three feet tall, and he was very interested
in my camera

The Merecat exhibit was large. We learned that they will take turns standing watch, on this tall rock that is their look out point. He was very studious about his responsibility, turning his head almost all the way around while he watched everything he could see.

A mother Giraffe with her baby.

The Giant Panda eats 66 lbs of fresh Bamboo every day. We were lucky enough to see them at feeding time when they are out and active. I like this shot because she looks like she is playing the flute

Very serious business this eating is....

This is a large male Silverback Gorilla.

The park has a lot of these places where you can get yourself into the action by sticking your head into the scene for a photo

I forgot what kind of apes these are, but they were a cute little couple, just relaxing together

Beautiful flowers were everywhere. This one was about 8 or 9 inches across

When we left the zoo, we walked into another part of Balboa Park. I like the reflection in the water here

We ended the day playing on the beach for a little while. I really love this silouette of Brian

We were up very early to catch our flights. Mine left at 6:30 AM. This photo is of the sunrise from the window of the plane. That is not water, but clouds in the foreground.

More Photo Play

I continue to learn a lot lately. One of the most fun things is the post processing. I used to think that you just needed a great camera, and then snap away, and you'd get these amazing pictures right off the camera. NOT! There is soooo much to understand and get right in the first place, and then there's the touching up afterwards. It is addicting. I am not understandig much of the Photoshop yet, but I have learned a few things and it is a lot of fun. Plus, I am learning to work with the fixed focal length lens. I am very accustomed to a zoom lens, so this is a lot different, and I have struggled to get the focus right. I LOVE it when something comes out so nice in the end though. Left click to see these full sized, so you can appreciate the details.....

The photo above is a sweet little baby in my ward. Almost everything imaginable was wrong with this picture, but it cleaned up pretty good...still a little bright. I finally figured out how to get the clean background though, without a break between back and floor, so it is a huge step in the right direction

Rory is often my model while I play with the focus on the lens. This one turned out well. She doesn't stand still for a second, so it is a challenge. Sometimes she makes faces at me and poses herself so cute. Other times she sees the camera and just takes off running. She was watching the dogs here.

Cute little Livvy! She has become quite the little poser! I have so many cute ones of her, it is hard to choose from them all. This one needed a few touchups, but I think it turned out pretty perfect.